Labour MP Keith Vaz resigns from Home Affairs Select Committee following male escort allegations

Keith Vaz has confirmed that he will no longer serve at the chair of Parliament’s Home Affairs Select Committee after the Sunday Mirror published allegations that he had used the services of male escorts.

The report also accused the MP of offering to reimburse the escorts if they bought cocaine – although he had not planned to take any himself.

His actions have divided opinion, with some, such as veteran LGBT activist Peter Tatchell, defending his right to a private life, and others arguing that his behaviour presents a conflict of interest with his work on the Select Committee, which deals with, among other things, reviewing sex work laws.
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Vaz, a Labour MP, outlined his reasons for quitting in a statement, insisting that he must “be accountable” for his actions.

“It is in the best interest of the Home Affairs Select Committee that its important work can be conducted without any distractions whatsoever,” he said.

“I am genuinely sorry that recent events make it impossible for this to happen if I remain Chair. I have always been passionate about Select Committees, having served as either Chair or Member for half of my time in Parliament. The integrity of the Select Committee system matters to me. Those who hold others to account, must themselves be accountable

“I am immeasurably proud of the work the Committee has undertaken over the last 9 years, and I am privileged to have been the longest serving Chair of this Committee. This work has included the publication of 120 reports, hearing evidence from Ministers 113 times, and hearing from a total of 1379 witnesses. I am very pleased that so many Members of the Committee have gone onto high office and Ministerial positions.

“This work has included the publication of 120 reports, hearing evidence from Ministers 113 times, and hearing from a total of 1379 witnesses. I am very pleased that so many Members of the Committee have gone onto high office and Ministerial positions.

“I told the Committee today of my decision to stand aside immediately from Committee business, and my intention to resign. This is my decision, and mine alone, and my first consideration has been the effect of recent events on my family.

“I have recommended that in the interim, Tim Loughton MP, the senior Conservative member, should Chair proceedings.”

“After speaking to the House authorities, I will formally tender my resignation to Mr Speaker so that it coincides with the timetable for the election of other Committee Chairs, such as the Brexit Committee, Culture, Media and Sport, and Science and Technology, so that the elections can take place together.

“I would like to thank my fellow members of the Committee, past and present, for their tremendous support. I would also like to thank the Clerks of the House for the amazing work they have done to strengthen the Select Committee system, we are not quite on par with the United States, but we are getting there. They are a vital body for the scrutiny of government. I would like to particularly thank my two Clerks, Tom Healey and Carol Oxborough.”

“I would also like to thank the Clerks of the House for the amazing work they have done to strengthen the Select Committee system, we are not quite on par with the United States, but we are getting there.

“They are a vital body for the scrutiny of government. I would like to particularly thank my two Clerks, Tom Healey and Carol Oxborough.

While the gender of the escorts involved is entirely irrelevant to whether or not using escorts is a conflict of interest, parts of the media have given particular attention to Vaz sexuality, with the Daily Mail calling him “camp” and flamboyant” in a column.

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